Bait device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a bait device for inserting into panelling, having a bait bushing which is closed at one end and has an outer collar at the closed bushing end, having a bait holder which is arranged in the bait bushing and is intended for edible bait, and having means for securing the bait bushing against falling out of the panelling, and also relates to the use of the same for the abovementioned purposes.

The present invention relates to a bait device and to the use of thesame for controlling harmful insects and small mammals.

The prior art has disclosed a series of poisoned bait holders. Thus, forexample, EP 360960 describes a poisoned bait holder with a bottom partand a covering part, the bottom part having a peripheral flat base, aninner ramp arrangement and a multiplicity of wall elements which aresecured in a specific geometrical arrangement in relation to oneanother, the covering of the poisoned bait holder having a multiplicityof openings for the access of insects and the openings being arrangedalong radially oriented sides of the lobes.

DE 3819956 describes a further device for killing small mammal pests.The device described here has a spring-movable striking bow, a holder, amechanism for locking and releasing the striking bow, and a receptaclefor bait. In this case, the striking bow is locked, and also releasedagain, by a lever which is provided with a hook, is fitted, at one end,in a movable manner, on the holder and, in the operating position, hasits free end resting on an abutment of the device, said abutment beingindependent of the striking bow and being arranged within the holder.

EP 664952 describes a flat bait station for cockroaches comprising a topplate and a bottom plate and side walls which connect the top and thebottom plates to one another, the side walls having at least one smallopening and at least one relatively large opening, with a containerwhich is intended for poisonous bait and is fastened on the inside of aside wall. A specific configuration of differently sized openings allowsthe cockroach which is to be caught to move into the bait holder in amanner which is appropriate for the stage of growth of the cockroach.

The prior art does not disclose any solutions for insect bait stationsor poisoned bait holders for poorly accessible regions in suspendedceilings, arrangements provided with protective walls or panellings, andswitch cabinets, cable ducts, etc., which are easy to insert. In theprior art, it is necessary, for pest control, in these cases to removethe coverings or panellings or even the devices themselves and to takespecific action against the insects using sprays or by laying out insectbaits.

Such steps, however, are extremely time-consuming and require theoperation of the installation to be interrupted at the respective pointin time in order for the pest control to be carried out accordingly. Asa result of the installation or the operations and operatingarrangements being necessarily shut down, considerable shutdown costsare incurred. The same also applies to the private sector.

The prior art does not disclose any solutions to this problem. Theobject of the invention is thus to allow the facilitated control ofpests such as insects and small mammals at poorly accessible locations,the removal of covering panels, screening or protective arrangements andpanellings not being necessary.

This is achieved according to the invention by providing a bait devicefor inserting into a panelling or covering element, having a baitbushing with an open end oriented towards the interior of the panellingand a closed end oriented away from the interior of the panelling,having a bait holder which is arranged in the bait bushing and isintended for edible bait, and having means for securing the bait bushingagainst falling out of the panelling.

The present invention makes it possible to reduce the amount of workrequired and prevents damage to the panellings of the ceilings andfloors as a result of removal and re-installation. Furthermore, thepests can be controlled in a specific manner, and health hazards as aresult of possible contamination to the servicing staff are avoided.

In a simple form, the bait bushing is formed from a piece of tube whichhas a round, rectangular or square basic surface area and is closed onthe outside by a covering plate. It is possible for a bait holder, forexample a shallow dish, to be arranged in said bait bushing or for ahollow to be provided in the bait bushing, edible bait being located insaid hollow. The bait holder may also be mounted rotatably in a securingmeans of the bait bushing, with the result that the bait bushing can beplugged into horizontal or vertical panelling.

In the simplest form, the bait device according to the invention may bedesigned in the form of a dummy stopper for panellings or cable ducts,into which a quantity of edible bait adequate for the pests isintroduced and which is then plugged or screwed into a bore in thepanelling. The present invention is thus also aimed at the use of such adummy stopper, preferably having a cylindrical cross section andpreferably provided with an external thread, as a bait device for thepurpose of accommodating edible bait.

Providing the bait device according to the invention makes it possiblefor the latter, secured against falling out once inserted into thecovering wall or the housing of the device, to provide the edible baitfor the insects which are to be destroyer or the pests such as rodents,removal of the covering wall or of the sheet-metal panelling not beingnecessary. The edible bait may be an edible bait which does or does notcontain poisonous substances for the peat which is to be destroyed. Inthe case of a non-poisonous edible bait, it is additionally possible toprovide a mechanical trap for the pest which is to be destroyed. Themechanical trap may be a striking-bow trap or a trap for catchinganimals alive, for example in the form of a wire cage.

The bait bushing is preferably fastened in the region of infestationwhere the pests move about, in order to facilitate the access to thebait device. It is easily possible for the bait to be refilled orexchanged once the bait device has been withdrawn from the panelling,with the result that shutdown times are minimized or even avoided.

A viewing window with a window panel made of a transparent material, forexample of glass or plexiglass, is preferably provided in the baitdevice according to the invention, in order for it to be possible tomonitor the filling state of the bait device.

In a preferred embodiment, a removable closure cover is provided at theclosed end of the bait bushing, said closure cover further preferablybeing provided with second securing means, preferably designed in themanner of a lock, for securing against unintended removal. In aparticularly preferred embodiment, the closure cover is secured in apivotable manner on the bait bushing via a hinge. A closure spring or alock may be provided on that side of the closure cover which is locatedopposite the hinge, with the result that the cover can only be openedand pivoted once a suitable tool or key has been introduced.

Although, in the simplest case, the configuration of the bait device inthe version, having a bait bushing, bait holder and means for securingthe bait bushing against falling out of the panelling, is sufficient, itis advantageous to secure the bait bushing in an installation bushing,which preferably remains fixed in the covering or sheet-metal panelling.

In the case of this embodiment, first of all the installation bushing ispushed into the panelling and secured against falling out. In this case,the means of securing against falling out may be configured bycorresponding protrusions and notches of the respective bait bushing andinstallation bushing, in which case the sheet-metal panelling or thecovering does not require any particular comprehensive working.Depending on the wall thickness of the carrier material, i.e. forexample the sheet-metal panelling, etc., the installation bushing may beadapted correspondingly in terms of the plug-in depth, the bait bushing,which accommodates the edible bait in a bait holder, beingcorrespondingly plugged into the installation bushing from the outside.

In the simplest form, the means for securing against falling out may bedesigned in the form of clamping toothing formations on the installationbushing and/or the bait bushing, the toothing formations clamping thelatter as the bait bushing or the installation bushing is introducedinto the panelling and thus securing the same against falling out.

It is preferred, however, for the bait bushing and installation bushingto be provided with means for preventing them from falling out whichallow the bait bushing to be introduced straightforwardly into thepanelling or installation bushing and, at the same time, allow the baitbushing to be reliably secured in the panelling or installation bushingwithout it being possible for the bait bushing to be removed from thepanelling or installation bushing by unauthorized individuals.

This is achieved in a preferred embodiment in that the securing meansprovided on the bait bushing are configured in the form of at least oneretaining clamp, but preferably two or more retaining clamps, which canbe introduced without obstruction when the bait bushing is introducedinto the panelling or installation bushing, but then, by virtue of thebait bushing being rotated, the retaining clamps are brought intoengagement with securing noses, or an inner part-collar, on theinstallation bushing and latch in.

In the preferred embodiment, the installation bushing and the baitbushing are each designed in the form of cylindrical bushings,preferably with radially outwardly projecting collars, the externaldiameter of the bait bushing being adapted to the internal diameter ofthe installation bushing. It is also the case that the collars of thebushings are preferably dimensioned in relation to one another such thatthe external diameters of the collars are equal.

In order to secure the bait bushing in the installation bushing, theretaining clamps provided on the inside of the bait bushing are broughtinto engagement with the securing noses in that the bait bushing isrotated in the installation bushing from an introduction position into asecuring position. In this securing position or use position, the baitbushing is secured in the installation bushing against withdrawal.

The rotation of the bait bushing in the installation bushing takesplace, in the simplest case, with the aid of a key or of a withdrawaldevice, these engaging in at least one correspondingly adapted openingin the bait bushing. The opening may serve, at the same time, as aviewing window, in order for it to be possible to observe the fillingstate of the bait dish. The openings for the withdrawal device and/orthe window may be closed by means of a covering screen, with the resultthat the penetration of dust and spray water is ruled out. In order forit to be possible for the bait bushing according to the invention to beused not just in vertical carrier materials, such as sheet-metalpanellings of machines, in kitchens, etc., but also in ceilingpanellings, the use of a pivotable bait dish is preferred.

There are no particular restrictions on the material of the bait deviceaccording to the invention. For strength-related and weight-relatedreasons, the use of plastic or metal is preferred. The size of the baitdevice is not subject to any limitations either, and is only determinedby the use purpose. It is thus possible for the bait device to comprise,for example, a bait bushing with a diameter of 20 cm or more, the restof the components of the bait device being integrated therein. Such asize is necessary and expedient in particular when a mechanical trap isused.

The present invention will be explained in more detail by way of theattached figures,

FIGS. 1 to 3, in which

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a configuration of the baitdevice according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a plan view from the inside of the bait station accordingto the invention from FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the bait device according to theinvention, this being intended for use, in particular, for installationinto cable ducts or similar locations where the lack of interior spacemakes it difficult for the bait device to be pushed in.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the bait device according to the inventioncomprises the bait bushing 1 with bait dish 3, which is pushed into theinstallation bushing 2 and is secured in the installation bushing 2 viathe retaining clamps 5 which, in the installed state, engage with thenoses 6. The installation bushing itself is secured, via the clampingtoothing formation 7, in the carrier material 4, which may be asheet-metal panelling, a covering panel or a suspended ceiling.

In the installed state, the bait bushing and installation bushing areadditionally arrested in relation to one another via the arresting nose8. The openings 10 for the withdrawal device and/or the key for rotatingthe bait bushing and installation bushing are closed via the coveringplate 9.

Provided in the direction of the inner end of the installation bushingare predetermined breaking points 111, via which it is possible for thelength of the installation bushing to be adapted to the installationconditions by virtue of the inner border region being broken off.

The plan view of FIG. 2 shows the bait bushing 1, with bait dish 3,plugged into the installation bushing 2 as well as the resilient clamp 5engaging on the installation bushing. Engaging around the outside of theinstallation bushing 2 is the bushing collar which closes the gapbetween the installation bushing and bait bushing and belongs to thecovering plate 9, which likewise closes the opening 10 for thewithdrawal device, which is not illustrated in the figures.

As shown in FIG. 3 in the cross section of a further embodiment, whichis suitable for installation in cable ducts in particular, theinstallation bushing 2 has been plugged into a cable duct 11 withcable-duct cover 11 a. The bait bushing 1 is secured on the installationbushing 2 and, in turn, is closed on the outside by the closure cover12. Arranged on the closure cover 12 is the securing lug 13, the baitdish 3 and the hinge (not illustrated in the drawing) for pivoting theclosure cover 12. The transition between the installation bushing 2 andbait bushing 1 is concealed by the facing frame 14. The embodiment shownin FIG. 3 is used, in particular, for panellings and ducts where cables,structural elements, etc. make it difficult for the bait bushing orinstallation bushing to be pushed in further into the interior.

1. A bait device comprising: a bait bushing having an open end that isoriented towards the an interior of a paneling and a closed end that isoriented away from the interior of the paneling; a bait holder coupledto the bait bushing and configured to receive edible bait; aninstallation bushing that at least partially encloses the bait bushing;a connector for securing the bait bushing to the paneling, therebypreventing the bait bushing from falling out of the paneling, whereinthe connector is coupled to the bait bushing and comprises a clamp thatis configured to be introduced into the paneling or installation bushingwithout obstruction when the bait bushing is introduced into thepaneling or installation bushing; and wherein the connector is broughtinto latching engagement with a securing nose on the paneling orinstallation bushing when the bait bushing is rotated.
 2. The baitdevice of claim 1 wherein the installation bushing comprises a collar atan end that is directed towards an outer end of the bait bushing.
 3. Thebait device of claim 1 wherein the bait bushing comprises a removableclosure cover at the closed end.
 4. The bait device of claim 3 whereinthe closure cover further comprises a second connector that secures theclosure cover.
 5. The bait device of claim 1 wherein the bait bushingcomprises a collar at an outer end.
 6. The bait device of claim 1wherein the closed end further includes an opening for introduction of awithdrawal device.
 7. The bait device of claim 6 further comprising acover element that closes the opening for introduction of the withdrawaldevice.
 8. The bait device of claim 1 wherein the bait holder isrotatably coupled to the bait bushing.
 9. A method of using a baitdevice, comprising: providing a bait bushing having an open end and aclosed end; orienting the open end towards an interior of a paneling andorienting the closed end away from the interior of the paneling;coupling a bait holder to the bait bushing, wherein the bait holder isconfigured to receive edible bait; providing an installation bushingthat at least partially encloses the bait bushing; securing the baitbushing to the paneling using a connector, thereby preventing the baitbushing from falling out of the paneling, wherein the connector iscoupled to the bait bushing and comprises a clamp that is configured tobe introduced into the paneling or installation bushing withoutobstruction when the bait bushing is introduced into the paneling orinstallation bushing; and wherein the connector is brought into latchingengagement with a securing nose on the paneling or installation bushingwhen the bait bushing is rotated.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein thebait device is configured in the shape of a dummy stopper having anexternal thread and a cylindrical cross section and wherein the baitdevice is coupled to a paneling or cable duct.